WEST COVINA – Playing in the final postseason of his stellar career, South Hills High School baseball standout Ty France left nothing to chance in Thursday’s first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs against Upland.

France got the start and spent the entire afternoon baffling the Scots for a 4-0 win. France went the distance and struck out 11.

“I guess it was a good day,” said France, who also had two hits and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. “I knew we had to win, so I gave it all I’ve got.

“It’s a little scary. I have to give it everything I’ve got because if I lose, our high school baseball career is over.”

The Huskies improved to 18-7. Upland finished 18-10.

That France would even get the start on Thursday was somewhat of a mystery.

Huskies coach Kevin Smith had his choice of three starters from a pitching staff that allowed the fewest runs in the Sierra League this season en route to the league championship.

But France got the call and it was apparent right away that he wasn’t messing around.

“I think that was one of the reasons they started me today, because they (Upland) didn’t know anything about me,” France said. “I’d say I have one of the better curve balls on our team and they were having trouble with the off-speed. That’s why they started me and I was feeling it today.”

South Hills scored in the first and third innings to give France an early 2-0 lead. The Huskies didn’t take complete control until the fifth when they scored two more times.

C.J. Saylor drove in Anthony Muniz, who had walked a batter earlier, for a 3-0 lead. Moments later, France got Saylor home from third with sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.

“It was nice to breathe for a second, but I knew I couldn’t let down,” France said of the two insurance runs in the fifth. “This is a good team and they’re here for a reason. If I let down, who knows what could’ve happened. So I kept my foot on the pedal.”

Upland threatened in the sixth by putting runners and second and third with two outs. But France got out of it by getting Justin Beck to ground out to end the inning.

The Scots had another chance in the seventh, getting two on, before France got Ryan Ponder to hit into a double play to end the game.